Do's and Don'ts of Coping with Menopausal Anxiety

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In the years leading up to menopause, many women report mood swings and anxiety. Anxiety, defined as a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, is natural when faced with a scary or unfamiliar situation. In most people, the feeling subsides after the distressing event passes, and daily life is not affected. In some people, however, this can become a more chronic condition. Keep reading for more information about anxiety attacks and how to recognize them.

What Are the Causes of Anxiety?

There are many reasons that people are affected by this condition, with one of them being menopause. The exact reasons that menopausal women are affected is unclear, although the most probable reasons are a combination of hormonal fluctuations and menopausal symptoms.

Estrogen deficiency

Hormones tend to fluctuate significantly while a woman is in the perimenopausal stage. A significant estrogen decrease can make a woman more vulnerable to developing anxiety disorders.

Other menopausal symptoms

Research has shown that common symptoms of the menopausal stage -- such as hot flashes, sleep problems, and fatigue - can affect mood and well-being, which can sometimes lead to low feelings and anxiety.

Feeling negative about getting older

Fears for the future, negative stereotypes about menopause, and suffering from unpleasant symptoms can all cause stress for a menopausal woman, leading to anxious feelings.

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

There are a myriad of psychological, physiological, and social symptoms associated with this condition, a few of which are:

Chronic feeling of unease

Irritability

Inability to concentrate

Irregular heartbeat

Headaches

Keep reading for practical advice on dealing with anxiety and its symptoms.

Do:

Exercise regularly

Exercise releases serotonin and endorphins, neurotransmitters that have both been shown to relieve anxiety.

Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep can cause you to think irrationally, adding unnecessary stress to the anxiety you already have.

Take herbal remedies

Although consulting a medical profession before beginning any sort of medication is recommended, there are some herbs that have been shown to reduce anxiety - in particular, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis).

Don't:

Drink too much alcohol or caffeine

Alcohol is a depressant, which, in the long term, it will typically intensify anxious feelings. Caffeine will also be unhelpful, as after the initial energy boost comes a crash. Therefore, drinking too much of these substances can have a negative effect on mental health.

Suffer in silence

Talking about your problems is a therapeutic act, and there are many types of talking therapies, such as counseling and behavioral therapies that are available for you. Although talking to a doctor is of course recommended, since this could be the first step towards appropriate treatment, even talking to a friend or family member will reduce the feelings of isolation.

Menopausal anxiety is distressing and can be disrupting to daily life, but following these tips should lessen the symptoms and lead to a happier menopause.

Although unsettling and troublesome, the experience of persistent and pervasive anxiety is one shared by many women undergoing menopause.Many women will experience anxiety during menopause. Read the following article for more information and anxiety treatment advice.

With all the changes your body is undergoing around the time of menopause, it seems only logical that some stress or anxiety may accompany these changes.With all the changes your body is undergoing around the time of menopause, it seems logical that some stress or anxiety may accompany these changes

Sources:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (n.d.). Tips to Manage Stress and Anxiety. Retrieved July 17, 2014, from http://www.adaa.org/tips-manage-anxiety-and-stress

National Health Service UK. (2014). The types of therapy - Stress, anxiety and depression. Retrieved July 17, 2014, from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/types-of-therapy.aspx

National Health Service UK. (2013). Why do I feel anxious and panicky? - Stress, anxiety and depression. Retrieved July 17, 2014, from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-panic.aspx

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The content of these informational pages is for educational purposes and health care support only and does not intend to be used for diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.